E46 Spark plug chamber filled with oil

Die_Miek

///Member
Guys
E46 318 N42
I did a service on my car over the weekend, when I changed plug 4 the chamber was filled with oil, the other 3 was fine.

What the coil looked like
20130830_141029-1_zps120e3738.jpg

After I removed the spark plug
20130830_141857_zps2e041789.jpg


What could cause this to happen? :
Thanks in advance
 

Kish2604

Administrator
Staff member
It a leaky cam cover gasket... Get it changed out. Agents wanted about 500 bucks for the e46 6 cylinder ones,dont know what the 4 cylinder ones would cost...
 

Die_Miek

///Member
Thanks. Are you referring the to tappet /valve cover gasket?

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Die_Miek

///Member
That gasket has been replaced twice.

First time under MP at 100 000km.

2nd time at 148 000km. I paid R700 for the gasket at goldwagon.

Currently on 175 000km
 

ters

New member
Die_Miek said:
Thanks. Are you referring the to tappet /valve cover gasket?

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Pay special attention when replacing the gasket not to overtighten the valve cover. This causes the gasket to split and allow leakage. Have a look at the old one to see signs of what could cause the spillage.

There may be a ridge/dent in the cover at #4 that cause the premature gasket failure.

Ters.
 
S

S1NGH 001

Guest
Tappet cover gasket was a weak point on the E46's and E39's :thumbs:
 

Gizmo

Banned
The plastic cover warps over time too so no matter how often you change out the gasket it will always leak. BTW the N42 is the worst motor BMW have ever fitted to a car, I wouldn't be surprised if BMW had outsourced the N42 from the cheapest engine manufacturer they could find who also used the cheapest materials that they could find...
 

Die_Miek

///Member
Gizmo said:
BTW the N42 is the worst motor BMW have ever fitted to a car,

on the bright side, it can only get better from this point forward.
when i upgrade i will have a better engine than this one.
 

Die_Miek

///Member
I purchased one from masterparts, I'll enquire tomorrow if they don't have victor reinz.
I'm in western Cape, saldanha/Vredenburg.
 

Die_Miek

///Member
Don't you have a phone number for alert, on their website is only email addresses.

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Die_Miek said:
Don't you have a phone number for alert, on their website is only email addresses.

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Try the Pta West branch and hopefully they can help you, 0123279300, I know you are not in GP but I think they can be helpful in refering you to the nearest branch. All the best
 

Die_Miek

///Member
Alert does not have stock, they dont know when stock will arrive. would have been R426 for Victor Reinz.

i did some research, Unipoint is actually owned by Bosch, so i think the quality should be decent.

thanks guys
 

Tareeq

Active member
I'm sure Masterparts also stock Victor Reinz gaskets i was at the one in Kenilworth last week and i saw a guy buying a Victor Reinz gasket set..
 
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